Long-serving Chelsea chief: Former West Ham boss as good as Ancelotti

Chelsea’s most successful period came during Forde’s time as director where he oversaw the club’s Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League triumphs.

Forde believes former West Ham manager Allardyce is on the same managerial level as Ancelotti, who is the only man to have won three Champions League trophies as manager.

“In my time at Chelsea I’d say Carlo Ancelotti was the best at that and Sam is at the same level,” Forde told the Daily Mail. “He has done incredibly well in whatever situation he has been in. Players really do respond to him.”

Allardyce guided Sunderland to safety in the recently concluded Premier League season, despite being appointed in October with the club in the relegation zone.

The former Newcastle boss has won no major honours in his 25 years as manager, but Ancelotti has won 16 major honours in 21 years, including the Premier League trophy in the 2009-10 season.

Forde joined the Chelsea backroom staff in 2007 and has worked under managers such as Jose Mourniho and Rafa Bentiez, but the former director believes Allardyce can hold his own with any of those managers.

“I worked with a lot of managers at Chelsea and Sam could hold his own with any of them.” said Forde.

The former Bolton director believes Big Sam can get the best out of players if he was to land the vacant England job.

“You are only ever be as good as the players you have but when it comes to getting the best out of the players you have he’s second to none,” said Forde.

“In terms of his approach, his methods, his thinking, the England job would be a perfect time for Sam and he’d be perfect for the job.”